MEN STRINGING BARBED WIRE DURING A BLIZZARD (top); tank crews keeping warm as they eat their rations (bottom).
BELGIUM
MANHAY, BELGIUM. On 3 January 1945 an attack was launched west of Manhay in the First Army zone. Visibility was reduced to 200 yards and the temperature was near zero. The few roads were coated with ice and the snow off the roads was waist deep making it extremely difficult to maneuver. During the first day advances of almost 4,000 yards were made before a heavy snowfall halted the assault. On 5 January the attack was resumed and the La Roche-Vielsalm road was cut. La Roche was captured by the British on 10 January. The British troops were then withdrawn to regroup for the Rhineland Campaign. The Germans began to withdraw from the tip of the salient after becoming convinced that they had lost in their attempt to halt the Allies.
BELGIUM
ELEMENTS OF THE FIRST AND THIRD ARMIES made contact at Houffalize on 16 January. While the U. S. units were still understrength, replacements to the theater had increased. Despite heavy fighting and poor living conditions, morale was high.
BELGIUM
